Top 10 Moments Of The Season

Right let's get down to business, here is my top 10 moments of Aberdeen's 2013-14 football season. In fact before we start I would like to mention that the post was originally going to contain only five top moments but I concluded there was too many and to miss them out would be a disgrace. It was just too good a season wasn't it! So here we go.

Number 10 - Reynolds' Stunning Season:

Not so much a moment, more rather a collection of moments and he cannot be missed out simply due to his huge contribution to the team this season. You only have to mention his International call up, his award of Aberdeen Player of the season, his inclusion in the PFA Premiership team of the season just to see how vital a component of the Dons team Reynolds has been this season. His pace and brilliant tackling has bailed out the team more than a few times this season and so as much as strikers’ goals are important, the role of Reynolds has been pivotal throughout the course of the season. That is why number ten goes to player of the season Mark Reynolds.

Number 9 - Derek McInnes: 

Without the man, the season we had would never have taken shape we would not currently be sitting smirking at the thought of that moment Anderson lifted the cup. That can be said for sure. In his first full season at the helm of Pittodrie he has guided Aberdeen to cup success once more after a long 19 year wait, he has dragged us from the dark despair of the bottom six to the dizzy heights of a top three finish and he has recruited efficiently and effectively bringing in top quality players. I cannot emphasise enough how important McInnes is to us. He is the brains behind the Dons and master plans every win, every tactic, every formation and owns a win percentage of over 50%. That stat simply speaks for itself and shows how he has managed to turn the club around within the short timescale of a single year. That is the highest the clubs win percentage has been since Alex Smith and Jocky Scott were in charge. "Oooh Derek McInnes"! Moment number nine goes to Mr Derek McInnes.

Number 8 - Caledonian Stadium Goal Fest:

A large Dons contingent had travelled up the road for this pre-Christmas match and they were in for a treat. The fans could probably not believe their eyes and were rubbing them in disbelief when Aberdeen went in 4-0 up at half time. A Robson penalty opened the scoring and was quickly followed by a neat header by the same man to double the Dons advantage. Aberdeen were running riot and Pawlett slotted home to make it three. McGinn then decided he wanted to get in on the act and a great solo run from just inside his own half ended with the Northern Irishman firing past Brill to round off Aberdeen's first half quartet of goals. However the second half was a different story and the home side managed to salvage three goals from the first half wreckage and left the Aberdeen fans behind the goal with no nails to eat their Christmas dinner with. Aberdeen going in with a massive advantage at the break were now hanging on for their lives in the dying minutes of the game. Much to the relief of everyone they held out to secure all three points. This gets labelled as game of the season as it had everything from goals to nail biting nerves.

Number 7 - The Red Army:

Every season Aberdeen fans show their loyalty and dedication to the club whilst showing their love and passion of supporting the men in red, however this season was extra special. The Red Army was truly an army this season and a sight to behold on many occasions. Following the team up and down the country no matter where or when the supporters would be there to cheer the team on. There were too many occasions on which the supporters of Aberdeen have to be commended so we are just going to focus on two. The league cup semi final at Tynecastle was simply stunning in terms of the noise and the colour generated by the Red Army. For the first time in a while, Tynecastle was packed out and was rocking to the cheers and wall of noise created by the 14,000 Aberdeen fans. A truly memorable day for all at the game. However that day was almost pushed to the side when 40,000 Aberdeen fans descended on Glasgow for the Cup Final. An atmosphere that is hard to put in to words but I will try. The card display that was set up by 100 or so volunteers added something special at the beginning of the match and was a beautiful sight for the players to behold as they emerged from the tunnel. The usual green feel of Celtic Park was transformed completely into a red mass of scarves, flags, t-shirts, face paints and so on. The fans were in fine voice for the 120 minutes also and did not falter to get behind the team at any point. To see so many Aberdeen fans in one place was almost magical to every fan there, as this was the biggest mass of Dons supporters of all time. One of the loudest renditions of "Stand Free" was enough to send a shiver down your spine. So for a marvellous following throughout the season, moment number seven goes to the Red Army.

Number 6 - Peter Pawlett Baby:

The sensation that took the nation by storm, “Peter Pawlett Baby”. Despite not even featuring in the final Pawlett managed to make the occasion his own as the 40,000 Dons fans who had travelled to the game belted out his name during the post match celebrations, changing the words of the Human League classic "Don't you want me baby" to "Peter Pawlett Baby". What followed was a social media sensation and a campaign emerged to get Peter Pawlett baby to number one. The campaign succeeded with the human league song reaching number one in the Scottish charts, while the song climbed to number 5 in the itunes charts. The campaign also emphasised the community feel of the club. Everyone involved with Aberdeen from the players to the fans grouped together to promote the campaign making it a memorable experience for everyone. It was hilarious to listen to the radio and hear the bemused DJ's announce the song "Don't You Want Me" by the Human League at number one in the charts. If we had not already shown it then we certainly proved that Aberdeen fans are one of if not the best in the world through the Peter Pawlett Baby sensation. It deserves a place in the top ten as it was an extremely memorable moment of the season.

Number 5 - Emerging Heroes At Fir Park:

As ever on away days a large support massed behind the goals to cheer on the team. Despite it being at night on a Wednesday evening it was a cup quarter final and that reason was enough for 2,000 or so fans to make the journey. However early injustice dampened the mood. A red card for Shaughnessy inside the first 10 minutes angered the Red Army and now the odds were stacked against Aberdeen to progress into the next round. The referee appeared to be against the Dons on the night and a shocking challenge by Hutchinson should have met the same punishment as Shaughnessy received but it didn't only increasing the hostility towards the man in the middle by the Aberdeen support. Quick thinking from McInnes meant stability was restored to the ranks of the team. Stalwart defending and a super defensive performance saw Aberdeen to the last 10 minutes without conceding a goal despite the continuous forays forward by Motherwell. Then a corner for Aberdeen. The ball was whipped into the box and up leaped Considine out jumping his opponents and thunders home to put Aberdeen one nil up. The Dons fans behind the goal went crazy and the tension within them exploded as the ball hit the back of the net. Motherwell tried to rescue the game late on but Hayes finished the job after he broke away and fired past the keeper to send Aberdeen into the semi-finals. What a performance by the Dons!

Number 4 - Celts Fall On Sword In Granite City:

Everyone loves getting one over on Celtic and even more so this season as they looked to go the whole season unbeaten which they did... oh no wait they did not. Beaten only once on a dark, cold night at a packed Pittodrie much to the disgust of the now departed Neil Lennon. A pleasant night for all Aberdeen fans that witnessed the Hoops being out-played, out-passed, out-skilled, out-scored and saw the demolition of Forster's clean sheet record by their own team on the night. A cheer erupted as Van Dijk was sent off after only eleven minutes. No arguments, yet Lennon had the cheek to appeal it after the match, however that is another matter entirely. A stunning strike from Hayes opened the scoring that was later voted goal of the season, it was simply sensational and the stadium erupted as it hit the back of the net. Minutes later Rooney doubled the advantage. Celtic got a goal back but could not find another to prevent the defeat. Any victory over Celtic would go into a top 10 moments of the season but this one had a bit more edge to it as in the same night Celtic's unbeaten record came to a jilted halt while Forster's clean sheet record was ended also.

Number 3 - League Cup Semi Final:

Many couldn't get tickets for the occasion due to the venue of Tynecastle only being able to hold just over 17,000 and those who missed out on the game did well in truly miss out. The pressure was on Aberdeen to perform and the memory of all those semi-finals lingered at the back of many Aberdeen fans' minds. The players were met with a roar of noise when they took to the field and the day had a special feeling to it. Were Aberdeen finally going to reach another final? The game didn't take long to kick start into life with Hayes sliding in to poke home after only 3 minutes. Tynecastle's foundations literally shook as 14,000 Dons fans went crazy. Before half time it was two nil as Pawlett burst through the Saints defence to then slot home under keeper Steve Banks. However many Dons fans had experienced the heartache of many of the previous semi-finals and knew better than to think the job was done. The second half followed much the same pattern as the first with the Dons dominating and the third goal came from a slack St Johnstone play. Rooney was played in one on one with the goalkeeper and he kept his composure to finish. Surely now the Dons were in the final? Well if that was ever in doubt Hayes got his second of the game firing a shot into the net with ten minutes remaining. The Red Army who were out in force sang as loud as their voices would allow them stating to the rest of Edinburgh and anyone else who was watching they were "Standing Free" all the way to the League Cup final.

Number 2 - Dons Dump Celts Out Of Scottish Cup At Parkhead:

Beating Celtic at Parkhead will always be one of the greatest achievements especially when it's in a cup, and the Dons id in fact do that this season. After suffering an early set back in the way of an Anthony Stokes goal Aberdeen bounced back to progress through to the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup. Once more backed by a 3,000 strong contingent of loyal Dons supporters. Russell Anderson volleyed, yes volleyed Aberdeen level just before the break much to the delight of McInnes who was ecstatic on the touchline. It was parity at Parkhead at half time. The teams re-emerged for the second half greeted by cheers from the corner which housed the Aberdeen fans. Aberdeen dominated the second half until going a goal up. Yes Robson beautifully threaded a ball into the path of Pawlett who coolly slid the ball home to put Aberdeen ahead. Celtic lacked ideas and creativity, largely down to the brilliant defending capabilities that were on show from the men in red and Aberdeen won the tie putting them through into the next round. The payers soaked up the atmosphere by applauding the Dons fans for their efforts throughout the match and vice versa. Another great day for all affiliated with the club.

Number 1 – “19 Years 120 Minutes And Then F***ing Penalties”:

Of Course it would be the cup final wouldn't it. The fact that not many people would be able to touch their breakfast down to sheer nervousness kind of tells of what this day meant to so many Dons fans. 40,000 Aberdeen fans made the journey from all around the world to see the Dons in the League Cup Final. Paul Lawrie also removed himself from a tournament to watch his beloved Dons. The atmosphere inside “ParkRed” was incredible, the Red Army did not stop singing for the whole game including extra time and maybe not so much during the penalties. It was destiny day for many and possibly the club itself. The pre-match card display was a beautiful backdrop to the players walking out onto the pitch. The game itself was not a thing of beauty considering it was 0-0 after extra time but nobody will remember that. As the referee blew for full time many sank to their seats biting their nails trying to physically and mentally prepare themselves for penalties. The tension eased as Inverness missed their first two and it was a case of just scoring our penalties. As Rooney stepped up to take the winning penalty the ground fell utterly silent. Straight down the middle he went and the trophy was Aberdeen's. Momentous celebrations began to take place amongst the over jubilant crowd. As Anderson lifted that trophy on the 16th March 2014 a generations wait to see our team lift a trophy was over.